New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-08-20
OBITUARY.
PROFESSOR SPENCER Full LERroN BAIRD.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 tSpecial.--A dispatch re-
ceived here tonight announcing the death of Professor
Spencer Fullerton Baird secretary of the Smith sonan
Institution and United States Commissioner OF Fish
and Fisheries, not unexpected by his friends.
When be was reno, ed from Washington 10 Woods
Holt several months ago II a question whether he
would survive the journey, and the attering reports
OF his improvement from time to time did not deceive
his friends, who knew that his days were numbered.
He a victim of overwork. Professor Baird had
not reached his sixty-ft birthday, but for thirty
years he ad been the executive officer OF the
Smithsonian Institution, to which he was called as
Assistant Secretary by Professor Henry, tour years
after its establishment Born at Reading, Penn, Ia
February. 1898 Spencer F. Baird was graduated at
Dickinson College in $40 at the age of seventeen
years. he stalwert youth and in the ten years
between his graduation and hs coming to the Smith
sonian Institution he accomplished much He studied
natural history, aud In 1912 o student OF medi-
cine In the New-York College OF Physicians and
Surgeons, but never formally completed his
although he received the degree of NJ. D.. honoris
csusa from the Philadelphia Medical College In 1S41
Professor Baird received the degree OF Doctor of
Physical Soience from Dickinson College. and that of
Doctor OF Laws from Columbian University. He
10 1878 awarded the silver medal OF the Acclima tza
ton Society OF Melbourne In 1879 the gold medal Of
the Sociee d. Acslmation OF France, arc In 1850 the
Erster Ehrenpreg OF the International Fischerei
Ausstellung at Berlin, the gilt OF the Emperor Of
way and Sweden tho decoration of Knight of the
Royal Norwegian Order of st. Ulaf. He was of
Soence served two years as permanent secretary OF
the American Association one Of the trustees Of
the Coreoran Art Gallery was trustee OF Columbian
University hal been president of the Cosmus Club
of this city an association of scientists md was the
director and official head of the National Museum.
He held honorary and corresponding mem bershIps In
many of the most renowned scientific societies of the
world. In early manhood he formed q warm personal
friendship with Audubon, with whom for
msuy years 10 correspondence, and later he
Grated with Agassiz scientific work and pubcatioDs.
His literary lators began at an early age. The pub
ication Of the lconograI bo Encyole pedia' which
he translated from the German, began In 1919. A
photography of his works from l843 to 1852 con-
tanned nearly zoe titles. Until within the last year
his literary activity undated. Among his i'm
portant literary works {" The Birds OF North
America" Cls8O); Mammals of North America
OF the Smithsonian Institution Il S64, and History
OF North American Pirds" In conjunction with F. NJ.
Brewer and r. Ridgewsy, from 1870 to 1873. Pro-
lessor Baird the scientific editor OF the Annual
Record OF Science and Industry, AMI for thirtyhve
years be edited the annual reports Of the Smithsonian
Institution. He was man OF great executive ability,
which, we'll as bis scientific emincnce recOg
nised In 1871 by President Grant, who appointed HIM
United States Commissioner OF Fish and Fisheries an
Office which no continued ~ I'll With pre-emnent
ability until his death Professor Baird both a
student and teacher while he held himself In mod
est estimation he was always ready to communicate
his knowledge to Others and he became too old
OF too wise to learn. That substance was the
epitome of his character given BY one OF the most
pent scientists In the country time ago, when
His remains will be brought to Washington at once
fnr inf